US cuts food stamp aid to 47 million poor for starters

US food aid benefits are being cut from Friday as an extension of the government programme expires, while legislators fight over further cuts. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24767932
Benefits to the supplemental nutrition assistance program (Snap) will be lowered by $36 (£22) a month for a family of four, officials say.
Some 47 million low income Americans will be affected by the cuts.
Food aid in the US has grown to $80bn a year due to higher unemployment and rising food costs.
About one in seven Americans relies on Snap, also known as food stamps.
The benefits were originally expanded during the recent economic recession to stimulate the economy and help the poorest Americans.